Landover man sentenced to life in prison, plus 20 years

Gaithersburg woman's murder sparked calls for reform

Debra Harvey hugs Assistant State's Attorney Sherri Koch at the Rockville courthouse Wednesday after Shawn Henderson is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 20 years for the murder of her daughter Lindsay Harvey in 2008.

A 27-year-old man was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison for the murder and robbery of a Gaithersburg woman who was shot and left to die by a trash bin in 2008, a judge ruled today.

After an emotional hearing during which family and friends of the victim, Lindsay Marie Harvey, spoke of their loss, Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Terrence McGann sentenced Shawn Henderson to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 20 years.

McGann was stern when he sentenced the Landover man.

"You must never be allowed to be in the midst of our community again," McGann said.

Henderson's attorney, Audrey Creighton said she would appeal. None of Henderson's friends or family attended the hearing.

"I deeply apologize for what has happened," Henderson said, adding that he never should have bought a gun. "I regret what Lindsay Harvey went through and the pain that it has caused. I hope you will look deep within your heart and forgive all of us for what has happened."

Harvey's parents, Debra and Craig Harvey of Oneonta, N.Y., were among the people who spoke about Lindsay.

"The death of my daughter Lindsay Marie Harvey has taken such a toll on my family that I don't know where to start or how to try to explain how much pain and anguish this has caused," Craig Harvey said and referred to his daughter as "the glue and the substance of our family."

In February, a jury convicted Henderson of robbing and shooting Harvey, a DNA analyst, as she walked from her car to her apartment on Quince Orchard Boulevard. Henderson stole Harvey's wallet, robbed her of $40 and left her to die behind a trash bin, according to Assistant State's Attorneys George Simms and Sherri Koch, who said that Henderson recruited two younger companions to help with the crime.

Aaron Shepherd, 20, of Gaithersburg was convicted in January of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Anthony Moore, 16, pleaded guilty to the same charge in March and was sentenced to 18 months.

Henderson was on probation for three counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon and one count of carrying a weapon openly with the intent to injure when he killed Harvey. Police and prosecutors say that in November 1999, he slashed the throats of two upcounty residents and stabbed another in the neck in robberies outside the victims' homes.

Henderson was released from prison nearly six years early through a combination of "good behavior" credits in prison and a sentence reconsideration.

The early prison release and subsequent murder have prompted calls for changes in state laws.

Critics of reconsideration, a rule unique to Maryland, say the provision places second chances to criminals over the rights of victims.

Last year, two Montgomery County Police captains, who head the department's records and major crimes divisions, drafted "truth in sentencing" legislation that would have required violent offenders denied parole to serve 85 percent of their sentences.

The measure sought to tighten diminution credits, which violent offenders can earn at nearly the same rate as nonviolent offenders. Current law allows nonviolent offenders to reduce prison time by up to 20 days a month while violent offenders can earn up to 15 days a month.

The legislation was introduced during the 2009 General Assembly by Sen. Nancy J. King (D-Dist. 39) of Montgomery Village and Del. Benjamin F. Kramer (D-Dist. 19) of Derwood. It did not make it out of committee. King has said she plans to reintroduce similar legislation in the upcoming session.

After today's sentencing, Montgomery County Police Capt. John "Mitch" Cunningham, who spearheaded the push for legislation, said "This will redouble our efforts."